Minding money

Monday

Feb 18, 2013 at 6:00 AM

A report released Friday by State Auditor Suzanne M. Bump highlights the need for Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.’s office to be more transparent in how seized drug money is spent, and to keep better accounts.

The audit was right to avoid any judgment on whether Mr. Early’s use of the money to promote youth sports was a proper law enforcement function.

On April 29, 2012, the Telegram & Gazette reported on Mr. Early’s support for youth sports programs, equipment and repairs, as well as payments to local contractors who were among his political donors.

While the appropriateness of those expenditures remains a matter of some debate, Mr. Early is right in maintaining that his office should enjoy some discretion in the use of seized funds. Promoting sports among youth appears to have some effect in reducing crime.

The audit’s focus was on accounting. In several instances, the state found “no supporting documentation that identified the law enforcement use” for donations. The report found at least one apparent violation — failure to pay personal taxes on fringe benefits. That stemmed from Mr. Early’s office failing to report personal use of SUVs and gas cards purchased with seized drug funds as taxable income, as required by the IRS.

Mr. Early’s office has already changed its procedures for disbursing seized funds. A committee is in place to review community requests for grants, Mr. Early will act on the committee’s recommendations, and full documentation for items and services received will be required.

Mr. Early should take the audit to heart and continue to emphasize transparency and the involvement of the committee in determining where seized funds wind up. Putting ill-gotten gains to productive public use is a win for the community, provided it is done with fairness and clarity at each step of the process.